to ask for help with a business name

[whatsmyshibboleth]

I'm posting here for the traffic as had no success in the start up forum.

I'm starting my own bespoke joinery business in West Norfolk (making doors, windows, staircases, wardrobes etc) and wanted to appeal to both women who would like to have another woman in their house instead of a man and also to builders. I don't want my name or the town name as there's already Bespoke Norfolk and the local town name had a dodgy joinery business with a bad rep a few years ago.

I was wondering if anyone on here had a better imagination than me as I'm currently drawing a blank. Thanks.

What is your target market? Generally, you can't please all comers. Are you planning to emphasise, say, traditional heritage styles - or something contemporary. When you pick a name, check that the web address is available, and also companies house. Then buy both of those.
Think of some adjectives (eg Custom, heritage, traditional, contemporary) and then a descripton of the work (joinery, woodworks, cabinet making, etc)

Remember that in this era of Google searching there is a lot to be said for 'doing what it says on the tin' rather than picking something like Aardvark Associates Ltd.

I had this recently as I'm starting up a new venture. I tried for ages to think of a name and I couldn't do it. The best advice I had was to just be 'GailThe Goldfish - Product description'. Get going and in time you'll get into the swing of describing what you do and the language you use will start to come together to define your niche. Then your name will come from that.

There was a bespoke furniture shop near me called 'Pine for Pleasure'. I beg you not to choose this as your business name. way too pornographic maybe you would like to specialise in this particular market? :-D

I was going to say the same as GailtheGoldfish I.e. Your name + Joinery or Joiners. But if you really don't want your name, initials, or a made up acronym? I think with that kind of profession something simple appeals. I don't think you need to emphasise female aspect in name - that will come across from your name on business cards or bio on website.

Or something with the word Dovetail, as in the joint? (From my gcse woodwork knowledge so not sure I'm remembering that right) Has quite a nice sound?

I agree with PPs - something which describes what you do really clearly is best, especially if you plan to have a website as that will be one of the things that the search engines look at to determine how relevant your site when people are searching. It's also worth checking to see what domain names area available to ensure that you get something easy to remember without millions of dashes or descriptors in it.

Lady Pinelope Joiners

No, really - I agree with pps. Your name or variation of it & descriptor might get you more 'hits' on a search engine.

Joined By + your name.
Joinery by + your name.

I think some (clueless, like me) people put carpentry into search engines when what they want is joinery. Might be worth thinking about.

If being female is one of your USPs then your name + Joinery/Carpentry will be good.

Care n Carpenter.

I would agree with using your name. We had a great tree surgeon once, but he used a trading name, which I can't remember. I remember his name, but can't find him on Google

Main reason to use a trading name would be if you wanted to sell the business in future

I have a man's name anyway so either way it doesn't really matter, I just hate saying my name for some reason. I think I have trouble with my r's and my name is Terri.

Usually when people have their name on a van or the words carpentry and joinery it means they are an odd job man rather than proficient in a specific area. This is just generalising of course and just an observation rather than fact. I was thinking of something Bespoke Joinery but could think of the something.

Something beginning with a, because yellow pages is alphabetical.

Ok, how about going along the same kinds of lines as [http://www.broadleaftimber.com/design/bespoke-oak-staircases these folks] or [http://www.brookeswood.com these] and going for something like:

• WildWood (Bespoke Joinery)
• Green Leaf?
• Mighty Oak?
• Fernwood?
• Truewood??
• Silver Leaf???

You get my drift…

Tailored Joinery?

Surname + And Daughter? (Poss a lie I know but gets over the female element).

Bespoke Home Joinery.

(Town name) Custom Carpentry?

Lie about your name.
"Theresa Jones, Bespoke Joiner".

I totally agree with those who say use your name (a name).
Theresa means you won't get any confusion if people hear you being called Terri.

The Handbuilt Home?

Or The Handbuilt Home by Theresa Jones? Or Terri Jones? You could make your signage quite feminine without explicitly stating you're female.

the wood doctor
womanwood
aspire joinery
carpentry queen
wood no pecker sorry couldn't resist that:)

I wish you every success in your new business, good on you x

Mitre Fine Joinery
Skirting the Issue
Batten Down The (Terri) Hatches (< sorry not helpful)

I think you'll find it difficult to convey the female aspect other than in your blurb.

Good luck OP. Great idea. xx

Wood no pecker brilliant!

I second the idea of using Theresa, it may not be your actual name, but it is quite common for Theresa's to become Terri's, so no one would know. And it conveys your female usp. Going out on a limb, but would Theresa Woodwork be too corny? Trees are after all made of wood You could put bespoke in the middle for an elegant touch.
Good luck